Artworld Metaphysics

Robert Kraut

Sophisticated and interesting treatment of key issues in the philosophy of art

Theoretical discussions informed by examples from jazz performance

Artworld Metaphysics

Robert Kraut

Description

Artworld Metaphysics turns a critical eye upon aspects of the artworld, and articulates some of the problems, principles, and norms implicit in the actual practices of artistic creation, interpretation, evaluation, and commodification. Aesthetic theory is treated as descriptive and explanatory, rather than normative: a theory that relates to artworld realities as a semantic theory relates to the fragments of natural language it seeks to describe. Robert Kraut examines emotional expression, correct interpretation and objectivity in the context of artworld practice, the relevance of jazz to aesthetic theory, and the goals of ontology (artworld and otherwise). He also considers the relation between art and language, the confusions of postmodern relativism, and the
relation between artistic/critical practice and aesthetic theory.

Artworld Metaphysics

Robert Kraut

Author Information

Artworld Metaphysics

Robert Kraut

Reviews and Awards

"If you love to explore how you might go about answering philosophical questions, this book is for you."--Robert Stecker, Notre Dame Philosophical Reviews

"The discussions are smart and sharp, often doing much to clear the ground around these issues.... Its pace is brisk, but it remains lucid at speed."--Guy Rohrbaugh, Journal of Aesthetics and Art Criticism